Coast Guard lends a hand at Lake of the Ozarks

Boaters may want to slow the party down. The U.S. Coast Guard has arrived and is patrolling Lake of the Ozarks ready to assist the Missouri Water Patrol to keep the crowds under control.

With tens of thousand of boats expected to be on the water for the Fourth of July holiday, more than a few rowdy boaters could find themselves on the wrong side of the Coast Guard and the Water Patrol if they ignore the rules of the waterway.

Coast Guard and Water Patrol officials are recommending boaters stay sober, slow down, pay attention and obey the laws. The two enforcement agencies will be out in full force.

While the Coast Guard does not maintain a permanent presence on the lake, it does show up periodically to help out.

The Guard operates under federal rules as opposed to the state regulations that govern the Water Patrol. Coast Guard officers have the right to board without warning or cause, inspect boats and issue federal citations for violations.

Eight officers will be working Lake of the Ozarks.

The Coast Guard will be out on the water starting June 29 and maintain a presence through the end of next week.

During the stay, the Coast Guard will be working with the Water Patrol to step up enforcement for what is traditionally the busiest holiday of the summer season. With July Fourth falling mid-week, boating traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the week and into next weekend.

For the Water Patrol, the arrival of the Coast Guard will provide some welcome help on the water.

"We'll take all the help we can get," Water Patrol Lt. Nick Humphrey said. "Any time we get ready for a holiday crowd, we hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We look forward to the extra manpower."

As the height of the summer season approaches, the risk of boating-related accidents and fatalities typically increases, he said.

Statistically, the majority of fatalities on the lake as the result of boating accidents occur after the Fourth of July.

So far, the Water Patrol has worked six drownings and one boating related fatality. All of the seven deaths involved alcohol.

If the trend continues, drownings on Lake of the Ozarks could set a record this year by passing 1999 when there were seven drownings and 10 boating-related fatalities.